WKU Softball will look to increase its three-game winning streak Tuesday at the University of Louisville.

WKU secured its first Conference USA series sweep against New Mexico State University last weekend. The Hilltoppers outscored the Aggies 20-6 across the series. WKU’s 10-10 conference record improved its CUSA standing from eighth to sixth.

The Hilltoppers’ offense greatly improved during the series against NMSU. Across the three games, WKU only left 14 runners on base compared to the 25 runners left on base across the MTSU series. The Hilltoppers also hit .320 against NMSU, an improvement from their .271 batting average in their series at MTSU.

The Hilltopper pitching staff also proved very effective last weekend, specifically sophomore Rylan Smith and freshman Erica Houge. The two allowed just 14 hits across the series.

Freshman outfielder Kennedy Stinson has provided a tremendous offensive presence for WKU. She hit a grand slam in WKU’s game-two win over NMSU and earned seven RBIs across the NMSU series. She is now third in batting average (.288), second in slugging percentage (.523) and second in RBIs (31) for WKU.

The Hilltoppers fell 3-2 to UL in a home midweek game March 25. Last weekend, the Cardinals dropped two of three games against the University of Virginia in an Atlantic Coast Conference series. UL is 23-20 on the season and 10th in ACC standings with its 6-12 conference record.

UL is ninth in the ACC in batting average with a .308. Against UVA, the Cardinals hit .230. UL’s pitching staff holds a 4.53 ERA (13th in ACC) compared to WKU’s 3.47. 

Redshirt junior infielder Easton Lotus and redshirt freshman utility player Char Lorenz are leading the Cardinals offensively. Lotus leads UL in batting average (.388), runs scored (36) and hits (59). Lorenz leads the team in RBIs (48), home runs (seven) and total bases (87).

The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Sports Reporter Adrianna Lein can be reached at [email protected]